Trust shortlisted for leading youth impact award

The Youth Work Award recognises initiatives that have done the most to promote young people’s personal development and help them achieve their potential through youth work, informal education and participation in positive activities, especially among disadvantaged or excluded groups.

Get on Track is a 14-month community-based personal, social and emotional development programme, led by world class athletes. The programme helps young people realise the attitudes and behaviours they need to make long term positive life choices.

Last year, two thirds of participants on the programme entered employment, education or training within five months and a further 78% felt more connected to their local community. For every £1 spent on Get on Track there is a social value of £4.30.

The programme actively targets some of the most disadvantaged young people across the UK, including care leavers, homeless people, young offenders, women at risk of sexual exploitation and those living within isolated communities.

Tracey Fletcher, Interim CEO at Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, said: “The Children & Young People Now Awards have become the gold standard for everyone working with children, young people and families. Being shortlisted for The Youth Work Award it real testament to the quality of our learning framework, the strength of our local partnerships and also our exceptional workforce of trained world class athletes.

“The impact the programme has on the lives of some of the most vulnerable young people across the UK is truly transformational and I am delighted that this has been recognised.”

Nathan, a young person on the Sheffield Get on Track, added: “I didn’t see myself having a future. Before the course I couldn’t care about anyone, I couldn’t even care about myself. The only way I could release the pain was to cut myself. Since the course I’ve been helping people more, been caring for myself, looking at myself and thinking I’m happy with who I am. My confidence is now sky high and I feel like I can do anything.”